Deck with recessed mat

ABSTRACT

A deck is provided. The deck includes a plurality of joists disposed vertically on a surface and a plurality of decking disposed horizontally and secured to the tops of the plurality of joists. A cut out is formed through a portion of the plurality of decking forming a recess. The present invention further includes a rigid plate having a planar upper and lower surface. The rigid plate includes a plurality of weep holes therethrough to allow water to escape. The rigid plate is secured within the recess.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/157,736, filed May 6, 2015, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a deck and, more particularly, to a deck with a recessed mat.

A deck is a flat surface capable of supporting weight, similar to a floor, but typically constructed outdoors, often elevated from the ground, and usually connected to a building. A mat may be placed on the deck and used to wipe shoes prior to entering a household. Typically mats may shift due to wiping and being walked on. Further, users may trip over the mat and injure themselves.

As can be seen, there is a need for a mat that rests within a deck.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a deck comprises: a plurality of joists vertically disposed; a plurality of decking horizontally disposed and secured to a top of the plurality of joists, wherein a cutout is formed through a portion of the plurality of decking forming a recess; and a rigid plate comprising a planar surface and having a plurality of weep holes therethrough, wherein the rigid plate is secured within the recess.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of forming a deck with a recessed mat comprises the steps of: securing a plurality of joists to a surface in a vertical position; securing a plurality of decking to a top of the plurality of joists in a horizontal position; cutting a portion of the plurality of decking forming a recess; securing a rigid plate within the recess, wherein the rigid plate comprises a plurality of weep holes; and placing a mat within the recess so that the mat rests on the rigid plate.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a section view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a section view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged section view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

The present invention includes an exterior structural, drainable, deck mat pan system. The present invention utilizes a metal tray that is inset below the deck surface. The tray holds a mat securely within. This will allow for the mat material to lay flush with the exterior flooring on a patio or deck application. The flush mount will allow the mat to be held into position and reduce any potential tripping hazard.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 9, the present invention includes a deck. The deck includes a plurality of joists 18 disposed vertically on a surface and a plurality of decking 16 disposed horizontally and secured to the tops of the plurality of joists 18. A cut out is formed through a portion of the plurality of decking 16 forming a recess. The present invention further includes a rigid plate 10 having a planar upper and lower surface. The rigid plate 10 includes a plurality of weep holes 12 formed therethrough to allow water 20 to escape. The rigid plate 10 is secured within the recess.

The present invention further includes a mat 14. The mat 14 is shaped and sized to fit within the recess and rest on the rigid plate 10. In certain embodiments, an inner edge of the recess includes a rectangular shape and the rigid plate 10 includes a rectangular shape. The outer edge of the rigid plate 10 is within a close proximity to the inner edge of the recess. In such embodiments, a standard rectangular shaped mat 14 may fit within the recess. The upper surface of the mat 14 may be flush with an upper surface of the plurality of decking 16.

The deck of the present invention may include a plurality of joists 18 aligned in rows and a plurality of decking 16 aligned in rows secured to top ends of the joists 18. The joists 18 and decking 16 may be made of a wood or composite material. The deck is structured below a door 24 of a house 22 or other building type. Since the upper surface of the mat 14 is flush with the upper surface of the plurality of decking 16, a user will not trip over the mat 14 going in and out of the building. Further, since the mat 14 is within the recess, wiping ones feet will not dislodge the mat 14 from its resting area.

As mentioned above, the rigid plate 10 includes a planar upper and lower surface. The rigid plate 10 is used to support the mat 14 and the user stepping on the mat 14. Therefore, the rigid plate 10 is made of a strong material such as metal or hard polymers. For example, the rigid plate 10 may be made of stainless steel or aluminum. The rigid plate 10 may be powder coated to a color selected by the user. Further, the rigid plate 10 may be coated with a gripping, so when the mat 14 is removed a user does not slip on the rigid plate 10. The present invention may further include a sidewall 30. The sidewall 30 may vertically extend from a periphery of the rigid plate 10. The mat may snuggly fit in between the sidewall 30 of the rigid plate 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, a rigid plate 26 of the present invention may not include sidewalls. The rigid plate 26 of FIG. 8 is a flat sheet including weep holes 28 formed therethrough to allow water 20 to drain.

A method of forming a deck with a recessed mat may include the following steps: securing a plurality of joists to surface in a vertical position; securing a plurality of decking to a top of the plurality of joists in a horizontal position; cutting a portion of the plurality of decking forming a recess; securing a rigid plate within the recess, wherein the rigid plate comprises a plurality of weep holes; and placing a mat within the recess so that the mat rests on the rigid plate.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A deck comprising: a plurality of joists vertically disposed; a plurality of decking horizontally disposed and secured to a top of the plurality of joists, wherein a cutout is formed through a portion of the plurality of decking forming a recess; and a rigid plate comprising a planar surface and having a plurality of weep holes therethrough, wherein the rigid plate is secured within the recess.
 2. The deck of claim 1, further comprising a mat disposed within the recess and resting on the rigid plate, wherein an upper surface of the mat is flush with an upper surface of the plurality of decking.
 3. The deck of claim 1, wherein the plurality of joists and the plurality of decking are made of at least one of a composite material and wood.
 4. The deck of claim 1, wherein the rigid plate is made of metal.
 5. The deck of claim 1, wherein the rigid plate further comprises a vertically disposed sidewall extending from a periphery of the rigid plate.
 6. The deck of claim 1, wherein an inner edge of the recess comprises a rectangular shape and the rigid plate a rectangular shape, wherein an outer edge of the rigid plate is within a close proximity to the inner edge of the recess.
 7. A method of forming a deck with a recessed mat comprising the steps of: securing a plurality of joists to a surface in a vertical position; securing a plurality of decking to a top of the plurality of joists in a horizontal position; cutting a portion of the plurality of decking forming a recess; securing a rigid plate within the recess, wherein the rigid plate comprises a plurality of weep holes; and placing a mat within the recess so that the mat rests on the rigid plate.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein an inner edge of the recess comprises a rectangular shape and the rigid plate a rectangular shape, wherein an outer edge of the rigid plate is within a close proximity to the inner edge of the recess.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein an upper surface of the mat is flush with an upper surface of the plurality of decking.
 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the rigid plate further comprises a vertically disposed sidewall extending from a periphery of the rigid plate. 